What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam

Rating:
Summary: Good General Overview But Some Areas Lack Development
Review: John Esposito's What Everyone Needs To Know About Islam gives a good general idea of the concepts of Islam. Esposito outlines quite well the Five Pillars of Islam Also explained well are the prayer rituals and the significance of Mecca are also quite interesting as well as the relationship between Islam and other religions.

Other comments Esposito makes are a bit inaccurate and somewhat slanted. Where in the world does Esposito get off explaining how marriage between first cousins are common in Islam as well as Judaism? He offers no such supporting statistics or proof that either group practices this so often. In some communities this may have taken place because there were no other suitable parties for a specific young lady. However, this is so much more the exception than the rule at least within the Jewish faith. Why doesn't Esposito comment about Chrisitans marrying their cousins? There is a movie out entitled Divorce Italian Style which deals with an Italian Christian man that has a romantic interest with his cousin. Truthfully Esposito's statement is a bit prejudiced.

Also the commentary of slavery is kind of wasted. In this modern age what is the point of even discussing something so unpleasant like this. Esposito seems to indicate that Islam is more sophisticated than Judaism or Christianity because it defines such a barbaric relationship. I think Espositio needs to get in touch with the modern world as slavery is non-existent in most places. Truthfully Espositio could have spent more time discussing Muslim Holidays and more of the festive attributes of Islam than delving into slavery.

Also the description of Hamas' response to the Hebron incident is badly phrased. In my opinion, this Dr. Goldstein was not running a suicide mission and merely acted as a deranged criminal. This certainly does not justify all of the Hamas suicide bomber missions that this Islamic military group has started. The two incidents are way different and Esposito should not even compare such actions. Both actions are indeed terrible but most definitely not an excuse for the excessive actions of Hamas and other terrorist Islamic groups. Esposito's comments on this unfortunate incident does not make him look favorable outside of the Muslim world.

Esposito does detail that the Islamic people have some varying sects that are more extreme and even more militant than the majority. Unfortuantely this may give some people a prejudiced idea about Islam. Whereas I may have some justifiable concerns about these extreme fundamentalists(its interesting how there have been similar violent tribes all thru Islam history), the general belief system of Islam is quite deep and powerful just like Christianity or Judaism. And this book is certainly a fine introduction to Islam.

Rating:
Summary: An ok explanation, raises more questions than gives answers
Review: Mr. Esposito's book gives, as stated in the title to this review, an ok explanation of Islam (I haven't completely finished yet.)
As I also said, it raises more questions than it answers, on various subjects. Example, do Muslim women really want to wear a burqa, or other garment: is it cultural; i.e., is it truly their choice, for modesty, or is it "mandated". Did he ask any women; without "minders", i.e., someone watching them, to monitor their answers. Did he consult with any Muslims? Why is a "belly dancer" not considered "immodest" in her dress; while a "Western",or other non-Muslim, woman, even if dressed, by non-Islamic standards, "modest" considered to be "immodest" (to put it politely)? I do admire the man for trying to separate the "radicals" from "ordinary" Muslims, e.g., a Bin Laden, or the Taliban, from say, the devout, but not radical, Muslim man or woman. I am not sure I'm thoroughly convinced that many, but not all, Muslims feel as warmly to Non-Muslims as Mr. Esposito indicates. There are many points on which I would "agree to disagree" with him (and the faithful) but it does bring a new found respect for many of the followers of the Prophet. I would hope that this book would answer many questions and clear up many misconceptions, on both sides, as all religions have their "radicals"; including, Christianity. "God (Allah) sent the message, through many messengers. However, some of the people since, on all sides, have caused us all to be at odds with our brothers and sisters of all faiths (through misinterpretation of the divine word, in what ever form it might take, i.e., the Koran, The Torah, The Bible, or others". Let all good people, of all faiths, attempt to understand, even where they disagree with one another, and to fight "radicals" within all faiths. This book does that to some extent. I'd hope someone could write a similar book, to clear up some the misconceptions, for Judaism and Christianity.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: Take the mask off your eyes and read freely about what really Islam is. This is a FAQ book about Islam, what it really is and what has it become in the eyes of today.

I can say, upon my knowledge, that it is 95% accurate as Dr. Esposito has some false ideas in some aspects. In the end, it is very fair compared with many other books written in the same subject. A great book to read. Covers many subjects and many many questions asked regarding this religion.

Rating:
Summary: Even-handed and well-written
Review: The author immediately states that Islam is not a religion of violence or terrorism. He covers the Five Pillars well, gives some good background, and repeatedly makes it clear that Islam is as imperfect (with fundamentalists) as any other religion. If you don't know anything about Islam and you are looking for a quick introduction, try this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book is accessible, easy to read and understand, and explanatory of all the current issues that are of concern to people about Islam. It's in Question-and-Answer format, so it's easy to pick it up, get some reliable answers from a respected academician, and then put it down to pick up later.

Esposito, raised Catholic himself, is a Ph.D. in Islamic studies and the Director of the Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University. His only agenda is to clarify issues and promote understanding -- no hatred, no bias, no prejudice of anyone. He's a good writer, too.

If you get no other book about Islam, do get this one. One-fifth of the world is Muslim; Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. This book will help you understand why.

Rating:
Summary: Compact Guide to Understanding Islam
Review: This is a concise book built around answering straightforward questions most people have about the Islamic religion and culture. Like any book that is under 200 pages, you can't claim it to be an authoritative or complete source.

Esposito does do a fine job of figuring out what (I think) most people would want to know and than furnishing concise, easy to read answers. We learn what the five pillars of the Islamic faith are. We learn what the Muslim people believe about Christ, the Old Testament, the New Testament and how they believe Muhammad received God's last revelation. We learn about the Black Muslim movement in the USA fits into Islam and its interesting. We learn what Jihad, or "holy war" really is and how the concept has been interpreted and misinterepreted by different groups.

At times, I felt Esposito perhaps downplayed negative aspects in Islam. He does attempt to explain why some Muslims hate America and the West. However, this lacked the depth that one would hope for. Also, some Medieval aspects of Islam culture such as countries that practice stoning for adultery and amputation for thievery don't get the criticism they should.

The great feature of this book is that you can learn a lot in a short time because of its size and the amount of information contained within it. Those interested in this subject should get a copy.

Rating:
Summary: informative, balanced, fun
Review: This is a great book! Fun to read. Informative. Balanced. It tells you not just the what but the why. It discusses the breadth of Islam not just the standard. Compact and easy to read FAQ format. You want to know about the basics Islamic culture and religion this is a good first course. Answers many of the questions I had.

Rating:
Summary: An essential guide to Islam in these troubled times
Review: This is an essential guide to what Muslims REALLY believe, which we all ought to read in these troubled times. So why 4 stars? Well, I think Esposito is a little too rosy about what Thomas Friedmann, in his brilliant NY Times columns, calls the "Arab basement". Most Muslims are sane, normal, good neighbours - our kind of people! But, alas, there are some real crazies out there who believe they are truly Muslims - and have lots of Saudi money to back their vile version of the Islamic faith. May the moderates prosper! I hope Esposito is right - I fear he may not be. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)

Rating:
Summary: What everyone needs to read about Islam
Review: Well-written and friendly format, perfect for a small-group discussion.

Rating:
Summary: addenda to previous review
Review: When Mr. Esposito acts like an "apologist", as he does throughout the book, he falls short of presenting a "balanced" view of the differences between the Muslim and Non-Muslim parts of the world, and does, to some extent, a disservice to non-radical Muslims (those who would quietly practice their faith and not seek destruction of others).
Such people need to do more than condemn the terrorists within their faith, just as Christians and Jews, within their faiths; they need to act. If Mr. Esposito would leave out some of the "apologist" rhetoric, it would make for a better explanation of the Islamic/Muslim faith.